Detroit suburb celebrating prominent pig sculpture

Jul. 24, 2013

Written by

the Associated Press

GARDEN CITY, Mich. (AP) — A Detroit suburb is getting ready to go hog wild to celebrate the return of a prominent, plump pig sculpture to its downtown.

The Garden City Downtown Development Authority says a Friday celebration will mark the return of “Willy the Pig.” A community art fundraiser will feature pork sliders and a pig-calling contest. A showing of the talking-pig movie “Babe” is on the agenda.

The centerpiece of activities is to be a 7 p.m. unveiling of the newly casted sculpture.

A shiny, red sculpture titled “Cochon Rouge” by artist Sophie Marie was stolen last year from Garden City. Also known as “Willie,” it was found missing three hooves and a snout along a bike trail in Livingston County’s Green Oak Township, about 35 miles northwest of Detroit.